About PATA

Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership-based association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region.

By bringing together our private and public sector members, PATA facilitates meaningful partnerships to enhance the value, quality and sustainable growth of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region.

The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its member organisations, which including government, state and city tourism bodies; international airlines and airports; hospitality organisations, and educational institutions, as well as thousands of young tourism professional (YTP) members across the world.

The PATA network also embraces the grassroots activism the PATA Chapters and Student Chapters, who organise numerous travel industry training programmes and business development events across the world. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 32 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 28 PATA Student Chapters globally.

PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has official offices or representation in Beijing.

PATA Code of Ethics – Statement

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. Since 1951, PATA has led from the forefront as the leading voice and authority on travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region. As the premier travel and tourism industry association in the Asia Pacific region, the Association endorses the UN Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and supports the work of the World Committee on Tourism Ethics, encouraging its members to also do the same.

PATA understands the role of tourism in promoting peace, empathy and cross-cultural understanding, and encourages all tourism stakeholders to observe these fundamental principles. Aligned with these principles, the Association supports the right of freedom of movement without prejudice and intolerance in line with the rights of each sovereign nation and the will of its people.

It is the Association’s position to ensure there is equal opportunity for all travellers without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by relevant laws, legislation and regulations.

Tourism should be a force for good and PATA encourages all public and private industry stakeholders to join in embracing these principles and displaying the tolerance which protects and enhances human society as expressed through the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.